Staff Member

Yes, it's absolutely ridiculous that the guy who is leading the MVP Race is questionable to be voted in by the fans, but that's the situation they are in today. Two guards can make it and the global crush on Stephen Curry and the media fascination with Russell Westbrook makes it so Harden is no lock.

Harden is averaging 28.5 points on 44.3% shooting, 11.8 assists and 8.4 rebounds.. He's third in the league in scoring, first in the league in assists and fourth in the league in three-pointers made. The Rockets were supposed to be a bottom-seed playoff team... instead they are 31-9.

Fan voting ends on January 16th (this Monday). We really need to step this up.

How to vote via social media:

Social Media Voting

Facebook Post a status from your personal Facebook account
To vote via Facebook, voters must post a status update that includes the hashtag #NBAVote and the first and last name of the player who they want to see play in the NBA All-Star Game. Fans can also vote by commenting on a post from the Houston Rockets official Facebook page with the player's first and last name and using the designated hashtag, #NBAVote.

* Limit one player name per post, and up to ten (10) posts per day, per user

Twitter Fans can Tweet from their personal account.
To vote for the NBA All-Star Vote via Twitter, voters can Tweet, Retweet, or Reply to a player’s first and last name or Twitter handle and the designated hashtag, #NBAVote.

* Limit one (1) player name per Tweet, and up to ten (10) unique Tweets per day per Twitter account.

Instagram Fans can post NBA photos from their personal Instagram account
To vote for the NBA All-Star Vote via Instagram, voters can post NBA or basketball related original photos with a player’s first and last name or Instagram handle and the designated hashtag, #NBAVote in the lower-third copy.

* Photos must originate from user’s account.
* Limit one (1) player name per photo post, and up to ten (10) unique posts per day, per Instagram account.

I was always concerned about this. And mentioned this in the Dish a few months back. I was pleasantly surprised to see Harden 2nd in the initial vote release. I guess the next release is tomorrow, 1/12. We'll certainly know more than on potentially how much ground Westbrook might have gained on Harden.

It's tough. Any voting system that can have ZaZa as a "front court" starter, really needs to be examined.

They are going to split between Harden/Westbrook and Curry, based on which one of the two they prefer

Click to expand...

Why would they split if most of them agree that Harden and Westbrook are the top two MVP candidates? Curry is getting no love for MVP. You think it's different criteria by the media for MVP vs. All-Star?

I think the media is decidedly in the Harden is MVP camp. I know that Houston sports is often shat on, but with very few exceptions, I've seen most national media members picking Harden at the midway point.

Why would they split if most of them agree that Harden and Westbrook are the top two MVP candidates? Curry is getting no love for MVP. You think it's different criteria by the media for MVP vs. All-Star?

Click to expand...

Yes, being on an elite team is a huge boost for all-star, but could be a limiting factor for MVP (Bron, KD, etc.)

Media members that are pro-Westbrook are generally doing it at Harden's expense and are typically big Warriors fanboys. These people are not going to vote Harden+Westbrook when they are still so enamored with the Warriors. This is the same media that gave Curry the first ever unanimous MVP, they are not swayed as easily as us Rockets fans,

The fan vote remains a mockery, especially given that All Star appearances have financial incentives. I've been voting, but it's hard to overcome the blind fandom of the media darlings like Curry, who has been unequivocally worse than Harden the entire year.

About ClutchFans

Since 1996, ClutchFans has been loud and proud covering the Houston Rockets, helping set an industry standard for team fan sites. The forums have been a home for Houston sports fans as well as basketball fanatics around the globe.